A question mostly for pro photographers but all comments are welcome. I'm a full time pro shooting Canon for years. Its too heavy at this point. I recently bought an Olympus OMD with a few lenses and I think I can do most of my editorial work with it, adding one more body to make a small system. Then take all the Canon gear and trade straight across for a Leica ME, which I've held and like quite a lot. I already own 3 Leitz lenses and an M6. The ME would serve me for photos destined to be large. It took a few years to build this Canon system and naturally thinking twice about this big switch. Anybody been there?
Hi, I want to share on this topic because I recently did the same move and I'd like to offer y perspective as someone who assists professional photographers a number of times per year.
For context: This year I had the luxury of divesting my EOS and Elinchrom systems in favor of a film M and a digital M and compact ricoh and canon. I did this because I wasn't doing commercial jobs, the equipment supported my personal shooting, and I wanted to try something new and fun. I would never do this if I were a working pro for two main reasons: the risk of not havering a DSLR and better options for being more comfortable on the job.
First point: DSLRs are so ubiquitous, I feel that we often take for granted how awesome they are for what they are: versatile, cost-effective, durable workhorses for professional media asset capture. Leica, compacts, and digital MF are fun and cool, but a DSLR is bred to bring home the bacon with no excuses. Ditching DSLRs is super for nonessential shooting, but they always save the day when the Leica shutters fault, compacts flail about in the dark, and the tether to the phaseone just won't work.
Second point: You made the point that on-job comfort is a key concern, and changing camera systems is probably the highest cost per weight savings and the switching costs and workflow disruption may be hard to predict. That said, more manpower, more wheely cases and carts, and dorkier waist belt systems like think tank and r-straps could all make you much more effective than saving a few pounds with cameras. Bonus: the risk of trying these techniques is probably 50-200 dollars per, with little workflow risk instead of the expensive and risky system change.
Case in point: virtually all of the pros I assist for use a mix of something plus DSLR, and every one gives a risk-related explanation for why—its a few pounds of insurance. My case is an isolated one, but there is a solid chance that DSLRs are the best choice for part of your pro gear mix. If you are semi-pro its a tougher call.
Edit: Beware the affiliate link reviewers posing as working pros who champion a switch to alternative gear. The fact that the gear is inexpensive and basically consumer gear is NOT a coincidence. Gear churn is their gain, and you don't see them pushing hassleblad or Mamiya often. You know your business better than they do.
